Kleobule

Kleobule, (in Ancient Greek: ), born between 408 and 400 BC, was a notable figure in classical Athens. She is known for being the mother of the orator and politician Demosthenes.

Biography Kleobule was born between 408 and 400 BC. She was attacked by Aeschines, who accused her of not being Athenian but a Scythian or a Thracian, although these claims do not appear to be necessarily true. Her father Gylon was an Athenian citizen nonetheless, who was branded a "traitor" for his actions during the Peloponnesian War. She married Demosthenes the Elder, and they had several children, including Demosthenes. Regardless of her origins, she received a substantial dowry for her marriage, indicating she came from a wealthy background. However, he neither married Kleobule nor took care of the children, and he squandered all the money left by Demosthenes the Elder for his son; 14 talents supposedly turned into just one. The speech related to this case is called Against Aphobus.

She died at an unknown date. Most of the knowledge about her comes not from Demosthenes' speeches, but from those of some of his adversaries, such as Aeschines, and from later biographical anecdotes about Demosthenes, whose reliability is not always very certain.